Talk: ‘The Boss’ to launch his own party?

The newly-formed United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) is yet to have a boss of its own, but is going all out to rope in 'Sivaji-the Boss' a.k.a Rajnikanth.

After attempts by TDP leader N Chandrababu Naidu, Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh is said to be trying to use his proximity to Amitabh Bachchan to get Rajnikanth's support for the UNPA. The Tamil superstar whose latest flick is making waves across the country is, however, non-committal.

While the conglomeration of former chief ministers was hunting for influential people to buttress the front, Rajnikanth's name was on top of the list. Finally, it was Naidu, who made the appeal. After watching a preview of the movie with the superstar in Hyderabad, Naidu requested Rajnikanth to support the front. The actor thanked him.

The next day saw a bolder step: AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa, against whom Rajnikanth made that powerful appeal during the 1996 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, watched a special screening of 'Sivaji'.

The UNPA meet at Jayalalithaa's residence in Chennai on Monday did not have Rajnikanth on the agenda, but insiders say the actor's name figured in discussions over the lunch Jaya hosted for the other UNPA leaders.

Since Jayalalithaa cannot have a one-to-one meeting with her former enemy so soon, Naidu seems to have taken the task upon himself. After the UNPA meeting, Naidu again called on Rajnikanth. Rajnikanth is said to have conveyed that the leaders should not give an impression that he is supporting the new front.

Coming out of the one-hour meeting with the actor, Naidu said: "We did not discuss politics."And now, Naidu has reportedly convinced Mulayam to use Amitabh Bachchan to arrange for talks with Rajnikanth. Meanwhile, sources close to Rajnikanth say the superstar does not want to support the front, let alone joining it.

"After the grand opening of 'Sivaji', fans want 'thalaivar' (leader, in Tamil) to launch his own party. He may support a particular stance of a party or a front on an issue, but not a party or a front per se," says an office bearer of the Rajnikanth fans' association.